Iceland’s push to resume European Union membership negotiations has been dealt a major setback after voters overwhelmingly rejected the proposal in a national referendum. With just over half of the electorate opposing the move, the result effectively ends the country’s latest attempt to rejoin the bloc. The decision follows years of political debate over Iceland’s future within the EU, leaving its economic and diplomatic ties with the union in limbo. Supporters of the "No" campaign now face the challenge of explaining the outcome to EU officials, who had previously expressed cautious optimism about the process.
The referendum result halts Iceland's bid to reopen EU membership talks, with 52.5 percent voting against the proposal.
